A little while back, I was very lucky to have been sent a bottle of KiraKira Studio’s debut launch in the UK, the AHA Cleansing Liquid. I am a huge fan of Asian skincare generally, so when I realised this was formulated in Japan and used effective, all natural AHAs, I expected great things!

When the package arrived, I was pleased to see that the bottle:

(a) is a decent size at 190ml; and

(b) had a pump dispenser for ease of use.

The packaging is fun and simple yet bright enough to be eye-catching though it’s missing the wow factor in my humble opinion.

This cleansing liquid is marketed as a 2 in 1 product –  a make up remover which  also removes dirt and impurities as well as a facial wash. Kirakira Studio claim that on top of removing make-up, the cleansing liquid will also:

• Hydrate the complexion;
• Help to stimulate collagen production;
• Promote cell turnover;
• Increase natural barrier lipids in the skin’s outer layers to help prevent skin’s natural oils and water escaping; and
• Soften the skin.

AHAs are well known for their benefits in the skincare industry. For those of you who are new to the term, AHA stands for Alpha Hydroxy Acids. AHAs are usually derived from plants/natural sources with the most widely known being Glycolic Acid (derived from sugar cane) and Lactic Acid (derived from milk). The benefits of incorporating AHAs into your skincare routine are wide-ranging but the most common use is for exfoliation and cell renewal.

The key AHAs in the Kirakira Studio Cleansing liquid are:

1. Citric Acid to help improve the skin’s texture and to help lighten dark spots. The citric acid will gently exfoliate the skin’s dead skin cells, leaving naturally brighter skin behind;
2. Glycolic Acid to treat fine lines, blemishes and oiliness. The small molecules within the glycolic acid mean that the ingredients can penetrate the skin’s deeper layers with ease; and
3. Stearlic Acid to deep clean the skin and remove dirt and impurities. Stearlic acid reduces the skin’s water tension, allowing it to mix with oils and dirt on the surface. The cleanser is then able to attach to the dirt/make up on your skin and loosening the particles, allowing them to be washed away with water.

I have been road testing this product for a good few weeks now to really get a feel for it. I was told that the low concentration of AHAs mean that it is gentle enough for daily usage without drying or irritating the skin.

The formula is a watery gel consistency which (just about) lathers on the skin with water. It is scent free which is great for most of you, but I am a scent gal and would have loved a faint perfume in there but that’s probably just me being a weirdo.

As a make up remover, the jury is still out. I found that the cleanser actually stung my eyes a little bit so that put me off a tad using it to dissolve my eye make up. However, I have very sensitive eyes so that could also be the problem. Even micellar water can irritate them.

As a cleanser however, I have really enjoyed using this product. It definitely has a brightening effect on my skin and thankfully hasn’t dried my skin out. For me personally, I’m not sold on the make up removing powers. I have more effective products for that in my stash if i’m honest. Instead, I have introduced this to my morning routine for my in-shower facial wash and the results have been good.

You can find out more about the brand via their Twitter.

Do you use AHAs in your skincare routine? What are your recommendations?

Thanks for reading!

Lynsey xox